Ocean Colour Scene frontman SIMON FOWLER has branded THE CORRS as “false” and claimed BLUR “wouldn’t know a hit single if it came up and slapped them in the face” in an astonishing outburst.
In the same interview with Irish tabloid newspaper The Sunday World at the weekend (July 16), the singer also slammed All Saints and B* Witched. Only Boyzone star Stephen Gately was singled out for praise for his bravery coming out as gay, with Fowler accusing Ocean Colour Scene‘s label Universal/Island of putting pressure on him for 15 years NOT to come out.
Fowler also said The Corrs‘ success was simply down to record company marketing. He said: “They are not the most talented band around and have got to where they are with some clever marketing by their record company. They are a marketing dream. A quick trim at the hairdressers plus plenty of expensive gear like Gucci never misses. And why not milk the publicity? I think it’s all so false.”
Fowler also attacked All Saints, who he describes as “one of the worst girl groups ever”.
He continued: “We have sold millions, but I will never go around acting out the pop star with flash clothes and cars and sexy women all crawling ten paces behind me.
“I’ll leave that pop fame rubbish to The Corrs and B*Witched, who both seem to enjoy it!”
Of Boyzone star Stephen Gately, Fowler said: “I was never a fan of Boyzone‘s music – it did absolutely nothing for me. But I admire the way Stephen Gately came out and said he was gay. It was a really touching moment and it is only when you are gay yourself that you can understand fully what I’m talking about. I was living a lie of 15 years and everyone in the band knew I was gay. But we had pressure from the record company not to talk about it.”
Ocean Colour Scene perform on the main stage of the Witnness Festival at Fairyhouse Racecourse in Co. Meath, Ireland, on Saturday, August 5 and the V2000 festival at Weston Park, Staffordshire and Hylands Park, Chelmsford on August 19 and 20.
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